Shangela, one of the most popular and loved personalities from RuPaul's Drag Race, has been accused of sexual assault by a former staff member of HBO's We're Here. The individual, Daniel McGarrigle, filed a lawsuit on May 3, 2023, in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging that Shangela, whose real name is Darius Jeremy (DJ) Pierce, raped him in a hotel room in February 2020. Shangela has denied the accusations, calling them "completely without merit."
According to the lawsuit, McGarrigle, who was a former production assistant on the TV series, fell asleep in Shangela's hotel room while intoxicated and fully clothed. He was then allegedly awoken by Shangela pouring liquid poppers on his face before pulling down his trousers and trying to penetrate him, despite McGarrigle repeatedly saying "no" and trying to fight the drag queen off. McGarrigle also accused Shangela of sexually harassing him by making suggestive comments and touching him.
The lawsuit alleges sexual assault, sexual harassment, gender violence, and false imprisonment. However, Buckingham Television, which produces We're Here and is named in the lawsuit, stated that an internal investigation found "insufficient evidence" to support McGarrigle's claims.
In response to the allegations, Shangela released a statement vehemently denying the accusations and calling them "personally offensive and perpetuate damaging stereotypes that are harmful not only to me but also to my entire community." She also referred to an external investigation that had previously concluded that the allegations were "completely without merit." Shangela vowed to fight the lawsuit and not allow it to destroy her or those she loves.
This incident is a reminder of the importance of addressing issues of sexual harassment and assault in the entertainment industry and beyond. The accusations against Shangela are serious and should be taken seriously, but it is also important to remember that the allegations are still unproven, and everyone is entitled to a fair and just legal process.